Technology is advancing faster than ever before and there are some big changes on the horizon for businesses and employees. One of the biggest changes that may have a massive impact on companies and office environments around the world is 5G technology. This new mobile broadband standard will help the devices of the future integrate and communicate in the way users expect them to.

So, what does 5G technology have to do with workplaces and offices? How will a 5G network be implemented? Could there be a 5G office network in the near future? Most importantly, what exactly is a 5G network?

What is 5G Technology?

Most people are aware of 3G and 4G, the latter of which is often referred to as LTE. For the average user, these varying degrees of G’s refer to the speed of a mobile network. For the most part, that is all anyone would ever need to know about mobile broadband technology. 4G is faster than 3G, 3G is faster than 2G, so then obviously, 5G must be faster than 4G. However, speed only begins to answer the question, “What is 5G?”

For starters, 5G has a max speed that is 10x that of 4G. At 10Gbps, 5G technology is going to be blazing fast. However, with max speeds of 1Gbps, 4G was no slouch either. Who could possibly need that kind of speed boost?

The biggest change with a 5G network is the increase in bandwidth and a reduction in latency. This means that, theoretically, a 5G network can manage more data with faster download times and faster response times. The implications of that are huge.

Fast Internet Won’t Be Bound to Cables

Right now, using mobile internet for an entire business is unrealistic in most cases. The service is more costly than traditional home or business internet due to the bandwidth restrictions of 4G. Since there isn’t enough bandwidth to support the needs of a business, the service is priced accordingly.

5G promises to change that. With greater bandwidth capabilities, a 5G office network could realistically manage the needs of an entire office without having an unacceptable price tag attached. This creates competition in the broadband market and may bring high speed internet access to locations that previously did not have high speed broadband available.

Building Capability for New Devices

The internet of things is one of the big buzzwords right now. Smart devices are just starting to become ubiquitous in day to day life. People own smartphones, smart fridges, smart lights, and smart televisions but that is just a taste of what is in development. By 2020, it is expected that there will be over 30 billion connected devices installed around the world. These devices require constant internet connection to deliver information quickly as it is needed.

In modern offices today, it is possible to see the beginning of the connected device craze. As offices embrace the future, they will need better internet connections with faster speeds and greater bandwidth to support the wide range of installed devices. This is where a 5G office network will excel.

No Longer Tied to the Cubicle

Smartphones, tablets, and laptops have allowed employees to embrace mobile and agile work styles. A wide reaching 5G network will only continue this trend and further enable staff to do their best work how, when, and where they want. With a 5G enabled router or internet stick, users could realistically get reliable internet access wherever there is a mobile network.

Company vehicles with new, connected features may use a 5G network to communicate and transfer data on-the-go. Mobile businesses can use 5G to expand operations and reach a wider base of customers. The possibilities are truly endless.

When Will 5G Networks Be Available?

Now that the question, “What is 5G?” has been answered, the question inevitably becomes, “When is 5G available?” While most employees won’t be connecting to a 5G office network tomorrow, the potential for this kind of technology is not as far away as some may think. In fact, some providers have already started testing their 5G networks in certain markets with 5G-enabled devices coming soon.

Realistically, a nationwide 5G network is probably not going to be available until 2020 but that doesn’t mean preparing for a 5G future should be pushed aside. As new devices enter the workforce and new needs are discovered, 5G network management will become important.

As a trusted provider of managed network services, Smile Business Products is here to answer all questions about 5G network management. To learn more, contact them today.